DH just got a job in Dubai

[FitbitAddict]

I'm delighted and dismayed all at once, as I'm in a job I love where my skills are really needed. However, relocating to Dubai has been our long term plan for the last three years and now it's coming to fruition. He'll go in March and I'll follow in August.

Any tips for packing up your life and moving overseas very welcome!

[CougheeBean]

zigzag are you projecting? You won’t find me anywhere near Starbucks and I spend all day thinking about people in desperate situations since it’s my job to help them. Id never set foot in Dubai by choice. The contrast between poverty and sheer materialistic gluttony is far more stark than the UK.

Enough about me, iggley is correct on every point. Oh and don’t forget that if you’re unfortunate enough to be raped, you can be arrested for extra-marital sex.

[AstridWhite]

He LOVES Dubai, she walks behind him and has to mind her tongue.

If he has told you this then I think he's winding you up for a joke. This walking behind the man nonsense doesn't even happen among the locals there, (not that there are many of those left) and it CERTAINLY doesn't happen among the expats!

[TittyGolightly]

My mum was headhunted for a job in A.D. and my dad followed her there. She certainly didn’t feel like a second class citizen (although the emirati are untouchable) and she earned enough in 18 months to buy her dream retirement house over here.

There are lots of pros but a lot of uncomfortable cons too, including the slavery that builds the skyscrapers.

[ZigZagandDustin]

Well that is true. You do need to be careful of customs there and these things you simply wouldn't do. Glad you help people Coughee. Many people don't.

[iggleypiggly]

coughee imagine having to take a marriage certificate to a hotel? Not allowed to stay unless married?? and not being able to enter a bar or club on your own as a woman without men thinking you are a prostitute . Plenty of amazing places in the world I prefer to frequent

[TittyGolightly]

Fucking hell, iggley! What planet are you on?!

[ZigZagandDustin]

Astrid I'm pretty certain that person was talking about Saudi, if there was any truth to it.

[Grrrrinch]

Iggley that's nonsense.
I go to the UAE several times a year.
I've never been asked for my marriage certificate or approached as a prostitute!

OP - I've never lived there, I hope someone can give you some useful advice though.

Good luck x

[PrincessScarlett]

I have never been to Dubai myself. However, my firm has an office in Dubai and female colleagues who travel their have been treated like prostitutes. One woman was assaulted in the lift of an exclusive expat residential area whilst the so called security guard turned a blind eye. A friend lived there for a year for work and was treated like a second class citizen, wasn't allowed in certain areas. By all means go if it is yours and DH dream but please don't be ignorant of Dubai's darker side.

[AstridWhite]

Well Zig she said Dubai. I agree Saudi is a totally, totally different kettle of fish. Or bucket of shit. But the OP isn't asking about Saudi.

It's like someone coming on to ask about Thailand and everyone telling her what it's like to live in Malaysia.

[iggleypiggly]

Astrid I’m not talking about Saudi, I’m thrilled you seem to think it’s so modern, equal and accepting in Dubai.

[Ragusa]

Would your DH relocate for your career OP?

[ZigZagandDustin]

Oh here we go. OPs DH is abusive and she should LTB😅

[chesterindubai]

Over 80,000 Brits live in Dubai. Check out the "checking in" tips on ukinuae fb page for tips on practicalities

[Rosecottage888]

My best friend moved to Dubai with her husband 6 years ago when he got a job there, has never looked back and she loves It. She comes back for 6 weeks every summer though to escape the heat!

[craftymadam]

I am amazed by some of the comments on this thread! I don't often post, but really want to offer my view!
I live in the UK now, but spent a few years living in Dubai with my husband & our young children (2 of whom were born there)
We enjoyed living there. We didn't have a maid, in fact we lived pretty much the same way we would live in the UK. We did miss the seasons, especially the rain!! And we missed fields!
I never had to walk behind my husband!! I was never segregated from him either!!
I was a stay at home mum whilst there so I didn't work, but plenty of my friends had jobs.
It is a fascinating place op, very clean and manicured. There are definitely negatives too, but nowhere is perfect!!
I was apprehensive when my dh was offered his job, but I'm so glad we did it. It's good to have different experiences in life!
I hope more expats come along with guidance for you!

[LadyB49]

My friend went to Dubai as a single girl and worked as a nurse. She met other nationalities and made some very good friends. They went out to dinner, to bars/clubs, socialised, dressed as they would have here in uk and lived a normal life without problem or issue. Her boyfriend then went out to join her, he had a job lined up before he went. They lived together whilst there just as they would have in the UK. Eventually their contracts were up and they've come back to the UK to get married and settle down. Both talk fondly of their life in Dubai.

[AstridWhite]

Astrid I’m not talking about Saudi, I’m thrilled you seem to think it’s so modern, equal and accepting in Dubai.

I didn't say you were talking about Saudi. I didn't say anyone was talking about Saudi.

[noenergy]

Whenever Dubai is mentioned here there is always such bias and extreme views.

I love it out there when I go. Never seen this walking behind men business or showing marriage certificate in hotels. Don't know
Why a pp has said it's 100 years backwards. It's such a multicultural place to live and there's so much to do there.

There is such a large expat community there. Don't think so many brits would love there if it was that bad.

[Kursk]

Op you are in for an exiting few years. You will make more money and live a better life than in the UK.

Good luck and have fun!

[Orangebird69]

This is fucking hilarious. I live in Saudi and don't get treated like some of you are spouting off about 😂😂😂😂

Congrats OP. Now, sensible stuff. What's in the package? Accommodation included? Or allowance? Level of health care provided? Assuming you don't have dc as you didn't mention them so no need to worry about school fees yet.

Its FUCKING EXPENSIVE to live there. If it's purely a short term moneymaking mission, you really need to do your sums. There's others that frequent this section that know lots more about Dubai than I do. Hopefully they'll be along soon with some informed, experienced non hysterical advice soon.

[AstridWhite]

I have never been to Dubai myself. However, my firm has an office in Dubai and female colleagues who travel their have been treated like prostitutes.

Yes, I've also been treated like a prostitute (if by that you mistaken for one and propositioned) by an Arab man when I was waiting alone for my friends in an expensive hotel bar. It's very insulting.

That was in Knightsbridge though.

Surely you don't think this only happens in Dubai?

A friend lived there for a year for work and was treated like a second class citizen, wasn't allowed in certain areas.

Was this in the 1960's or what? Tell me more, because I am baffled by this and I know a reasonable amount about the place. Was your friend female?

[iggleypiggly]

So is the general consensus that Women are treated respectfully and as equals to men in Dubai?

[Orangebird69]

Yes Iggley. I know many single women who have lived and worked in Dubai happily for years. Never been felt up at a brunch. Never been asked what their going rate was in a hotel lobby. And the whole marriage certificate for a hotel room is bullshit.